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The race to explore the deep sea accelerates

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21 August 2017

During its annual meeting, theInternational Seabed Authority(ISA) set a target date of 2020 to finalise the regulations for the exploitation of minerals in the deep sea, bringing the start of large-scale mining within close range. During the meeting, the Deep Sea Conservation Coalitioncalled on the member statesto open closed doors,bring transparencyto the heartofitsworkand to putinto place an EnvironmentCommittee.

Country representatives from all over the world gathered for two weeks (8th - 18th August) in Kingston, Jamaica, for the 23rd annual session of the International Seabed Authority. In addition to addressing the environmental regulation, the meeting also concluded a two-year review to assesses how the International Seabed Authority needs to adapt its structure and working methods to meet the challenges of managing the impacts of industrial mining across wide areas of the deep ocean floor, while ensuring it fulfills its responsibility to act in the common interest of all humankind.

While some progress was made on transparency,in particular the “affirmation” that “non-confidential information,such asthatrelating to the protection and preservation ofthe marine environmentshould be shared widelyandbe readilyaccessible”and“encouraging’the ISA’s Legaland Technical Commission to hold more open meetings.Itfellshorton specificsincluding the failuretoestablish an environmentalcommitteethatwould ensure transparencyandaddress the manyscientificuncertaintiessurroundingpotentialimpacts ofmining on deep-sea ecosystems.

During the meeting,theInternational Seabed Authorityagreed to atargetdate of2020 to finalise the regulationsto governcommercialdeep-sea mining in the international area ofthe seabed. Ifthis target is met,large-scale commercialmining ofthe deep seabed could beginininternational waterswithin a few years,assuming marketconditionsare favorable. The Draft Regulations on Exploitation of Mineral Resources in the Area are open for consultation till 17th November 2017.

Seas At Risk is a steering member of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition. In the run-up to the annual session of the International Seabed Authority, Seas At Risk launched a call to France, Germany, Belgium, United Kingdom and Poland to cease sponsoring deep sea mining contracts with the ISA and to champion sustainable consumption and production instead.

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